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| SHEPHERDS PIE (BRITISH) | |
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Before we start, let us be clear and lets get it right. Shepherds pie is made with lamb, cottage pie is made with beef. Never in the history of the British isles has cheese ever come close to either. If you see cheese anywhere near a recipe for either, put it down to the USA's obsession to add cheese to anything that moves - it doesn't generally belong with meat unless you desire lead in your stomach, this said. 1 lb. lean lamb, minced 1 large onion, sliced 1 medium carrot, chopped 1 stick celery, chopped enough beef stock to cover salt and pepper 3 to 4 tsp. corn starch or 2 Bisto (if you know what it is) and 1 corn starch 2 lb. good mashing potatoes 4 oz. (1 stick) butter salt and pepper Let's get this right and the best way: Add minced lamb into a casserole dish, add onion, carrot, celery, beef stock, corn starch and/Bisto/corn starch, salt and pepper, to taste, and stir. Cook in a slow oven, say 275°F for 2 hours. You can do all this on stove top for about 20 minutes BUT the flavor is never the same. When complete, drain off gravy and reserve.
Add back enough gravy to the meat to make it moist. Gently add the potato to the top and build up. Spread with a fork, finally making fork marks both up and down and across to form a basket like pattern. Put oven temperature at 400°F, then bake until potato is crispy and golden on the peaks (about) 30 minutes. Serve with remaining gravy and steamed cabbage (preferably Savoy, if you can get it). NO CHEESE, PLEASE. Submitted by: Neil - a Brit | |
Boil and mash potatoes with milk, butter, salt and pepper, however DO NOT make it into a wet paste. It should be firm and almost chunky.| 967 reviews | Add review Share |
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recipe reviews #35515
Nancy Seraphin (Utah) says:
I love the commentary in this recipe and don't think he's being snobbish, just honest!!! Hopefully the recipe will be delicious...
#35546
Cookbook Mama (California) says:
Should the 1 lb. of lean lamb asked for in the recipe be cooked or uncooked to start? If the answer is cooked - what is the best, most flavorful way to cook it before adding it to the casserole dish with the other ingredients?
#35591
Emily, American wife of Brit (Oregon) says:
Well, I know something about Brits being married to one for the past 20 years. They only insult you if they like you, and he probably had a buzz (pint) when he wrote the recipe.
#35642
Kylie (Australia) says:
Well, this should stir the pot!! I am Australian & I must admit I found Neil's comments funny[and no we don't have the same sense of humour as the Brits!].Generally Americans ARE well known for loving cheese.I love authentic dishes from anywhere and always try that way first but it's okay to change them as long as you don't call it authentic.My personal recipe for Shepherd's Pie has soy sauce & tomato paste so obviously not authentic but tasty none-the-less.Life's too short people!
#35754
Meg says:
This recipe sounds awesome, and I will make it exactly how it says to. Most times I will add or subtract as I see fit, but i want to taste the authentic version illustrated here. I don't care if people have a problem with your attitude, because the bottom line is the same, did u add some insight into how to make this recipe? Absolutely!
#35839
Ev (Minnesota) says:
I'm going to top mine with a huge helping of Vermont Cheddar! Ha!!
#35921
Maria and Dianne (Kansas) says:
Wow, this entire blog is hilarious. I did read several of Neil's comments on other people's recipes and he IS consistantly rude. (As consistent as melted Velveeta)
I also observed his poor grammar and it occurred to me that he should possibly work on his English, and not his English recipes.
The only rule of criticism is to sound smarter than those you are criticizing and Neil, my friend, you broke the rule.
This pie does sound delicious, but to truly ruin it American-style, it would need ranch dressing, bacon and ketchup.
I also observed his poor grammar and it occurred to me that he should possibly work on his English, and not his English recipes.
The only rule of criticism is to sound smarter than those you are criticizing and Neil, my friend, you broke the rule.
This pie does sound delicious, but to truly ruin it American-style, it would need ranch dressing, bacon and ketchup.
#35929
Mary Okie (United States) says:
Come on... This is just meatloaf with mashed potatoes baked on top. no big deal. lol
#35940
Karen (California) says:
As mother taught us, "It's not what you said, it's how you said it". While all this banter is very entertainig, the pie is wonderful. However,when communicating to American audiences, perhaps Neil could make the adjustment and mind his manners. It is not necessary to appear condesending in order to get your point across.
#35955
Rachelle (United States) says:
I am only an occasional visitor to this site as a weekend cook. I do have to say that when I started to read the comments, I felt right at home. My two boys are both serious baseball, football, & basketball players and I do like to go to their conference chatroom. I felt at home with the back/forth comments. I like to use recipes as a base and put my own spin but found nothing offensive about the recipe. I do agree he was condescending, but to each his own!!
#36114
Sue (Florida) says:
I've eaten cottage pie in England and in the US. Made a little different, but both still good. My Dad was from England - my cousins visit every few years so I know what Bisto is and have some in my cupboard !!!
#36126
Jo (Georgia) says:
I wasn't aware of the distinction between lamb/beef, shepherd/cottage pie, so now I know. We don't have minced lamb here. So why is it always called lamb and not sheep? Do they always get slaughtered when they're young so they never get old enough to be called sheep? Grown lambs are only for wool and begetting lambs? We Americans are not lamb conversant. And I do love cheese, but the extra fat and calories are a consideration. Ummmmm. Cheese.
#36397
Amber- the teenager (United States) says:
used your recipe with ground turkey and cheese. Yum! Also, kind of off topic, but why don't people eat sheep? Is it different then lamb?
#36508
Trixie (United States) says:
WOW this discussion went on for quite a few months...... Neil I think your comments were definitely called for....Shepherd's Pie is made with Lamb. Plain and simple. Who do you think is watching the sheep? Where do you think the recipe got it's name... this is super entertaining and funny.
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You cook your way, I'll cook mine. Variety is the spice of life, otherwise there would never be new (and sometimes better) recipes. I can't believe you got your panties in a bunch over such a mute thing. There are people in the world that don't like lamb! Oh heavens, will the world end now? Get over your boring self and try something new for a change.....or are you afraid you might like it....and oh, it wouldn't be British...and who really cares???????